Adjustable guide mechanism for computer add in card retention
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsRicky R. Feightner, Thomas A. Boyd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A card guide apparatus for retaining a PCI or ISA computer add-on card within a computer chassis frame. The card guide includes a bracket fixed to the computer chassis frame and a shuttle that is moveable between a first position disengaged with edges of the card to a second position engaged with the edges of the card for support during transport. The shuttle is slidably retained along at least one track defined within the bracket and includes an upper and lower panel defining a channel therebetween in which the card edge is received.
Claims18
An apparatus for retaining a card in a computer having a frame, the card having an electrical connector for engaging a motherboard connector in the computer, the card also having two oppositely facing sides and a first edge, the apparatus comprising a card guide having an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge of the card, the channel moveable in a direction parallel to the first edge between a first position disengaged with the card to a second position engaged with the card.
An apparatus for retaining a card in a computer having a frame, the card having an electrical connector for engaging a motherboard connector in the computer, the card also having two oppositely facing sides and a first edge, the apparatus comprising a card guide having an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge of the card, the channel moveable between a first position disengaged with the card to a second position engaged with the card
- and further including a wall having an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge or sides of the card, said wall being pivotally attached to said enclosure frame for rotating said channel between said first position away from and out of a plane of the card and said second position engaged with the card.
A method for retaining a card within a computer frame chassis having a plurality of fixed connectors, said card having a plurality of edges, one of said edges including an electrical connector, said method comprising:
- first engaging the electrical connector of the card with at least one of the plurality of the fixed connectors within the computer frame chassis;
- and
- then moving a card guide in a direction parallel to one of the plurality of edges to engage that edge of the card.
A method for retaining a card within a computer frame chassis having a plurality of fixed connectors, said card having a plurality of edges, one of said edges including an electrical connector, said method comprising:
- first engaging the electrical connector of the card with at least one of the plurality of the fixed connectors within the computer frame chassis;
- and
- then moving a card guide into engagement with at least one of the edges of the card by pivoting the card guide between a first, disengaged position out of a plane of the card to a second engaged position with the card sides.
A computer, comprising in combination:
- an enclosure having a frame;
- a motherboard connector located within the enclosure;
- a card having an electrical connector for engaging the motherboard connector, two oppositely facing sides, a first edge and a second edge with a back bracket for mounting the second edge to the frame;
- and
- a card guide having means for engaging the first edge of the card, said means including an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge of the card, the means being moveable in a direction parallel to the first edge between a first position disengaged from the first edge of the card and a second position engaged with the first edge of the card.
A computer, comprising in combination:
- an enclosure having a frame;
- a motherboard connector located within the enclosure;
- a card having an electrical connector for engaging the motherboard connector, two oppositely facing sides, a first edge and a second edge with a back bracket for mounting the second edge to the frame;
- and
- a card guide having means for engaging the first edge of the card, said means including an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge of the card, the means being moveable between a first position disengaged from the first edge of the card and a second position engaged with the first edge of the card and further including a wall having an upper panel and a lower panel which define a channel therebetween for receiving the first edge of the card, said wall being pivotally attached to said enclosure frame for rotating said channel between said first position away from and out of a plane of the card and said second position engaged with the card.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.